Receptacle for organizing while laundering garment items

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for retaining garments during a laundry function can include a body having multiple surfaces that form a cavity, where the body is porous to allow water and air to traverse therethrough. The receptacle can also include a first access feature disposed on a first surface of the body, where the first access feature has an open position and a closed position, where the first access feature, when in the open position, allows access to the cavity, and where the first access feature, when in the closed position, prevents access to the cavity. The first access feature, when in the open position, is configured to allow the garments to be inserted into and removed from the cavity. The first access feature, when in the closed position, is configured to retain the garments within the cavity and allow the garments to be laundered during the laundry function.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/702,699, titled “Sock Monster” and filed on Jul. 24, 2018, in the name of Yolanda Watkins (now Rubio). The entire contents of these aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to laundering clothing, and more particularly to systems, methods, and devices for organizing clothing being laundered.

BACKGROUND

A common problem that people encounter when laundering clothing is that, at times, some articles of clothing get lost or misplaced. A prime example is with smaller items, such as socks. These items can get dropped before getting put into a washing machine. Other times, such items can get left in a washing machine or drying machine. As a result, for example, one sock of a pair of socks may be temporarily or permanently separated from its mate while the socks are in the process of being laundered.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a receptacle for retaining garments during a laundry function. The receptacle can include a body having multiple surfaces that form a cavity, where the body is porous to allow water and air to traverse therethrough. The receptacle can also include a first access feature disposed on a first surface of the body, where the first access feature has an open position and a closed position, where the first access feature, when in the open position, allows access to the cavity, and where the first access feature, when in the closed position, prevents access to the cavity. The first access feature, when in the open position, can be configured to allow the garments to be inserted into and removed from the cavity. The first access feature, when in the closed position, can be configured to retain the garments within the cavity during the laundry function and to allow the garments disposed in the cavity to be laundered during the laundry function.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of receptacles for organizing while laundering garment items and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as receptacles for organizing while laundering garment items may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a receptacle in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIGS. 2A through 2D show another receptacle in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows yet another receptacle in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows still another receptacle in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The example embodiments discussed herein are directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods of receptacles for organizing while laundering garment items. While example receptacles described herein are directed to organizing while laundering socks, example receptacles can also be used to organize other garments while laundering such garments. Examples of such other garments can include, but are not limited to, stockings, hair wraps, shoe laces, and infant clothing. Example receptacles can be used in one or more of any of a number of environments or conditions, including but not limited to indoors, outdoors, high humidity environments, wet environments, high altitude, agitating environments (as from a clothes washing machine or clothes drying machine), hot temperatures, and cold temperatures.

Further, example embodiments are designed to be used in a large number of wash, rinse, and drying cycles. One or more of these cycles can include detergent and/or other chemicals (e.g., bleach, vinegar), fabric softener, deodorizing pellets, and/or any other applicable laundry product. Example embodiments can be used in hot water, cold water, a heated dryer, and a non-heated dryer. A user as defined herein is any person who interacts with garments (e.g., socks, stockings, gloves, shirts, pants). Examples of a user can include, but are not limited to, a homeowner, a renter, a mother, a father, a child, a housekeeper, a child, a consultant, and a manufacturer's representative.

In the foregoing figures showing example embodiments of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items, one or more of the components shown may be omitted, repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly, example embodiments of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in any of the figures. For example, features shown in one or more figures or described with respect to one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment associated with a different figure or description. Further, any description of a figure or embodiment made herein stating that one or more components are not included in the figure or embodiment does not mean that such one or more components could not be included in the figure or embodiment, and that for the purposes of the claims set forth herein, such one or more components can be included in one or more claims directed to such figure or embodiment.

Further, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in a figure herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean, unless expressly stated, that such embodiment is not capable of having such feature or component. For example, for purposes of present or future claims herein, a feature or component that is described as not being included in an example embodiment shown in one or more particular drawings is capable of being included in one or more claims that correspond to such one or more particular drawings herein.

Further, if a component of a figure is described but not expressly shown or labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding component in another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for the corresponding component in another figure. The numbering scheme for the various components in the figures herein is such that each component is a three digit number and corresponding components in other figures have the identical last two digits.

In certain example embodiments, the receptacles (or portions thereof) that are described herein must comply with one or more of a number of standards, codes, regulations, and/or other requirements established and maintained by one or more entities. Examples of such entities include, but are not limited to, Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

Example embodiments of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items are shown. Receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like, but not necessarily the same, elements (also sometimes called components) in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

Terms used herein such as, but not limited to, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “within”, “left”, “right”, “first”, and “second” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation, and are not meant to limit embodiments of receptacles for organizing and laundering garment items. In the following detailed description of the example embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a receptacle 100 in accordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 1A shows a front view of the receptacles 100 with the access feature 120 closed. FIG. 1B shows a front view of the receptacle 100 with the access feature 120 open. The receptacle 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a body 110, at least one access feature 120, an optional hanging feature 130, and one or more optional reconfiguration features 140.

The body 110 of the example receptacle 100 can include multiple surfaces (e.g., front surface 111, rear surface 112) that form a cavity 115, inside of which one or more garments 190 (in this case, a pair of socks) can be placed. One or more of the surfaces of the body 110 of the receptacle 100 can be made of at least one flexible, porous material. Specifically, as the purpose of the receptacle 100 is to retain garments 190 while the garments 190 are being laundered, the surfaces of the receptacle 100 are designed to facilitate that purpose.

Examples of a material for the surfaces of the body 110 can include, but are not limited to, cotton, rayon, nylon, polyester, and Spandex. Further, one or more surfaces of the body 110 of the receptacle 100 can have one or more of a number of configurations (e.g., a mesh) that allow the garments 190 disposed within the cavity 115 to be laundered. In this way, if an example receptacle 100 with garments 190 in the cavity 115 is placed in an automatic clothes washing machine, the type and configuration of the one or more materials of the surfaces of the body 110 allows the garments 190 to be washed and rinsed as if the garments 190 were placed in the washing machine loosely and independent of the receptacle 100.

In certain example embodiments, disposed on at least one surface of the body 110 can be one or more access features 120. Each access feature 120 can have a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1A) and an open position (as shown in FIG. 1B). When an access feature 120 is in a closed position, the cavity 115 at that location is closed and inaccessible from outside the receptacle 100. Conversely, when an access feature 120 is in an open position, the cavity 115 at that location is open and accessible from outside the receptacle 100.

In this way, an access feature 120 can be used to allow a user to place garments 190 into the cavity 115 or remove garments 190 from the cavity 115 when the access feature 120 is in an open position. Similarly, when an access feature 120 is in a closed position, any garments 190 disposed within the cavity 115 remain within the cavity 115. Further, when an access feature 120 is in a closed position, the access feature 120 remains in the closed position when exposed to agitation (as what occurs in an automatic clothes washer or dryer), solid objects (e.g., a wall of a washer or dryer, other garments located outside the receptacle 100), fluid (e.g., water, turbulent air), and/or chemicals (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, vinegar).

An access feature 120 can have any of a number of configurations and/or features. For example, an access feature 120 can include a zipper (e.g., with metal teeth, with plastic teeth) that defines the length of the access feature 120. As another example, an access feature 120 can include a number of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro) disposed along at least a portion of the length of the access feature 120. As yet another example, an access feature 120 can include one or more snaps disposed along at least a portion of the length of the access feature 120. As still another example, an access feature 120 can include a flap that tucks within a slot along at least a portion of the length of the access feature 120. As yet another example, an access feature 120 can include a drawstring that defines the length of the access feature 120.

As still another example, an access feature 120 can include a pair of magnets that are attracted to each other and are disposed along at least a portion of the length of the access feature 120 on opposing sides of the access feature 120. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a number of other configurations and/or features of an access feature 120 can be used. Further, an access feature 120 can have multiple configurations and/or features. For example, an access feature 120 can include a zipper as well as a flap with a hook-and-loop fastener that folds over the zipper.

In certain example embodiments, the receptacle 100 can include one or more optional hanging features 130. A hanging feature 130 is configured to interact with an external object (e.g., a door handle, the top of a door, a hook on a wall) to support the body in such a manner as to provide hands-free access to the one or more of the access features 120, to provide convenient access over time to one or more of the access features 120, and/or for some other purpose that could be helpful to a user. For example, a user can engage a hanging feature 130 of the receptacle 100 with a hook disposed on the back side of a bedroom door. In this way, the receptacle 100 can act like a hanging hamper to collect, over time, garments 190 that need to be washed. When enough garments 190 have been placed in the cavity 115 of the receptacle 100, the hanging feature 130 can be disengaged from the hook so that the receptacle, with all of the garments 190 disposed in the cavity 115, can be placed in an automatic clothes washing machine, and subsequently in an automatic clothes drying machine, to be laundered.

A hanging feature 130 can have any of a number of configurations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the hanging feature 130 can be a loop 131 that is attached to a top end of the body of the receptacle 100. Other configurations of the hanging feature 130 can include, but are not limited to, a hook, a strap, a snap, part of a hook-and-loop fastener, and an aperture.

In certain example embodiments, the receptacle 100 can include at least one optional reconfiguration feature 140 (in this case, reconfiguration feature 140-1 and reconfiguration feature 140-2) disposed on at least one surface (in this case, front surface 111-1) of the body 110. Each reconfiguration feature 140 is configured to be detachably coupled to each other. Each reconfiguration features 140 can be positioned on the body 110 in such a way as to hold the receptacle 100 in a folded position so as to reduce the size of the receptacle 100. For example, when the reconfiguration feature 140-1 and reconfiguration feature 140-2 of FIGS. 1A and 1B are engaged with (coupled to) each other, the body 110 is held in a folded position so that the front surface 111, including the access feature 120, are concealed.

The reconfiguration features 140 can be used for one or more of a number of reasons. For example, the reconfiguration features 140 can be used when the body 110, in an unfolded position, is too large to fit within a piece of laundry equipment to be effectively laundered. As another example, a piece of laundry equipment can be small, and so the reconfiguration features 140 can be used to allow the body 110 of the receptacle 100 to fit within the smaller space. As yet another example, the reconfiguration features 140 can be engaged so that the access feature 120 is not exposed on an outer surface, reducing the chance that the access feature 120 will inadvertently become open during a laundry function.

A receptacle can include a single reconfiguration feature 140 or multiple reconfiguration features 140. When there are multiple reconfiguration features 140, two or more of those reconfiguration features 140 can be configured to complement each other. For example, as in FIGS. 1A and 1B, reconfiguration feature 140-1 and reconfiguration feature 140-2 can be snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners that are configured to couple to each other. Examples of a reconfiguration feature 140 can include (at least in part), but are not limited to, a snap, a drawstring, a hook-and-loop fastener, a strap, a clip, and a slot.

In any case, each reconfiguration feature 140 can be placed at locations designed to allow a user to manipulate the body 110 of the garment 100 into a configuration (e.g., folded in half along the length of the body 110, folded in half along the width of the body 110, rolled along the length of the body 110) that is different than the standard configuration, such as what is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 2A through 2D show another receptacle 200 in accordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows a front view of the receptacle 200 with access feature 220-1 in a closed position. FIG. 2B shows a front view of the receptacle 200 with access feature 220-1 in an open position. FIG. 2C shows a front view of the receptacle 200 with access feature 220-2 in a closed position. FIG. 2D shows a front view of the receptacle 200 with access feature 220-2 in an open position.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 2D, the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D is substantially similar to the receptacle 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, except as described below. For example, the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D includes a hanging feature 230 that is substantially similar to the hanging feature 130 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, but the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D does not include any reconfiguration features (e.g., reconfiguration features 140 of FIGS. 1A and 1B). Also, the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D has two access features 220. Also, the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D includes a barrier 250 that was not included in the receptacle 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The barrier 250 is a feature of the receptacle 200 that physically separates part of the receptacle 200 into multiple portions. For example, the barrier 250 in this case physically separates the front surface 211 into an upper front surface portion 211-1 and a lower front surface portion 211-2, and the rear surface 212 into an upper rear surface portion 212-1 and a lower rear surface portion 212-2. The barrier 250 in FIGS. 2A through 2D also separates the cavity 215 formed by the front surface 211 and the rear surface 212 of the body 210 of the garment 200 into an upper cavity portion 215-1 and a lower cavity portion 215-2, where the upper cavity portion 215-1 is accessible when access feature 220-1 is in the open position, and where the lower cavity portion 215-2 is accessible when access feature 220-2 is in the open position.

The barrier 250 can have one or more of any number of configurations. For example, a barrier 250 can include stitching that stitches together the front surface 211 and the rear surface 212. As another example, the barrier 250 can include glue, epoxy, or some other type of adhesive that can be applied between the front surface 211 and the rear surface 212. As yet another example, the barrier 250 can include a clip that is applied to the front surface 211 and the rear surface 212.

Access feature 220-1 is disposed on the front surface 211 (and, more specifically, the upper front surface portion 211-1) of the body 210. Access feature 220-2 is disposed on the rear surface 212 (and, more specifically, the lower rear surface portion 212-2) of the body 210. The access features 220 of FIGS. 2A through 2D can be substantially the same as the access features 120 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this case, access feature 220-1 is disposed along the right edge of the upper front surface portion 211-1 of the body 210, and access feature 220-2 is disposed along the right edge of the lower rear surface portion 212-2 of the body 210.

Because of the barrier 250, when garment 290-1 is placed inside of cavity portion 215-1 through access feature 220-1 and when access feature 220-1 is subsequently put in a closed position, the garment 290-1 stays in cavity portion 215-1 and do not leave the cavity 215 or migrate into cavity portion 215-2. Similarly, when garment 290-2 is placed inside of cavity portion 215-2 through access feature 220-2 and when access feature 220-2 is subsequently put in a closed position, the garment 290-2 stays in cavity portion 215-2 and do leave the cavity 215 or not migrate into cavity portion 215-1.

In this way, when garments 290 are disposed in cavity portion 215-1 and/or cavity portion 215-2 during one or more laundry functions (e.g., clothes washing using an automated clothes washing machine, clothes drying using an automated clothes dryer), when the corresponding access features are put into a closed position by a user before inserting the receptacle 200 into the machine performing the laundry function, the garments 290 remain in their respective cavity portion and become effectively laundered.

FIG. 3 shows yet another receptacle 300 in accordance with certain example embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1A through 3, the receptacle 300 of FIG. 3 is substantially the same as the receptacle 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B and the receptacle 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D, except as described below. For example, the receptacle 300 of FIG. 3 includes a hanging feature 330 that is substantially similar to the hanging features discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A through 2D, but the receptacle 300 of FIG. 3 does not include any reconfiguration features (e.g., reconfiguration features 140 of FIGS. 1A and 1B).

In this case, the receptacle 300 of FIG. 3 has 16 access features 320 (access feature 320-1, access feature 320-2, access feature 320-3, access feature 320-4, access feature 320-5, access feature 320-6, access feature 320-7, access feature 320-8, access feature 320-9, access feature 320-10, access feature 320-11, access feature 320-12, access feature 320-13, access feature 320-14, access feature 320-15, and access feature 320-16) that are substantially similar to the access features discussed above. All of the access features 320 are shown in the open position. Also, the receptacle 300 of FIG. 3 includes a none barriers 350 (barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, barrier 350-3, barrier 350-4, barrier 350-5, barrier 350-6, barrier 350-7, barrier 350-8, and barrier 350-9) that are substantially similar to the barrier 250 of FIGS. 2A through 2D discussed above.

Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, and barrier 350-3 are positioned horizontally across the width of the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the body 310. Barrier 350-4, barrier 350-5, and barrier 350-6 are positioned vertically across the height of the front surface 311 and the rear surface (not shown in FIG. 3) of the body 310. With these configurations of the barriers 350, the receptacle is divided into 16 portions that are physically separated from each other.

Specifically, barrier 350-1 and barrier 350-4 combine to form cavity portion 315-1, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-1 and front surface portion 311-1, on which is disposed access feature 320-1. Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-4, and barrier 350-5 combine to form cavity portion 315-2, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-2 and front surface portion 311-2, on which is disposed access feature 320-2. Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-5, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-3, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-3 and front surface portion 311-3, on which is disposed access feature 320-3. Barrier 350-1 and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-4, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-4 and front surface portion 311-4, on which is disposed access feature 320-4.

Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, and barrier 350-4 combine to form cavity portion 315-5, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-5 and front surface portion 311-5, on which is disposed access feature 320-5. Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, barrier 350-4, and barrier 350-5 combine to form cavity portion 315-6, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-6 and front surface portion 311-6, on which is disposed access feature 320-6. Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, barrier 350-5, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-7, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-7 and front surface portion 311-7, on which is disposed access feature 320-7. Barrier 350-1, barrier 350-2, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-8, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-8 and front surface portion 311-8, on which is disposed access feature 320-8.

Barrier 350-2, barrier 350-3, and barrier 350-4 combine to form cavity portion 315-9, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-9 and front surface portion 311-9 on which is disposed access feature 320-9. Barrier 350-2, barrier 350-3, barrier 350-4, and barrier 350-5 combine to form cavity portion 315-10, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-10 and front surface portion 311-10, on which is disposed access feature 320-10. Barrier 350-2, barrier 350-3, barrier 350-5, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-11, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-11 and front surface portion 311-11, on which is disposed access feature 320-11. Barrier 350-2, barrier 350-3, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-12, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-12 and front surface portion 311-12, on which is disposed access feature 320-12.

Specifically, barrier 350-3 and barrier 350-4 combine to form cavity portion 315-13, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-13 and front surface portion 311-13, on which is disposed access feature 320-13. Barrier 350-3, barrier 350-4, and barrier 350-5 combine to form cavity portion 315-14, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-14 and front surface portion 311-14, on which is disposed access feature 320-14. Barrier 350-3, barrier 350-5, and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-15, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-15 and front surface portion 311-15, on which is disposed access feature 320-15. Barrier 350-3 and barrier 350-6 combine to form cavity portion 315-16, which is bounded by rear surface portion 312-16 and front surface portion 311-16, on which is disposed access feature 320-16.

Because of the barriers 350, when one or more garments 390 are placed inside of one cavity portion (e.g., cavity portion 315-1), when the corresponding access feature 320 (e.g., access feature 320-1) is subsequently put in a closed position, the garments 390 stays in that cavity portion and do not leave the cavity 315 or migrate into any other cavity portion (e.g., cavity portion 315-2, cavity portion 315-5).

In this way, when garments 390 are disposed in one or more of the cavity portions during one or more laundry functions (e.g., clothes washing using an automated clothes washing machine, clothes drying using an automated clothes dryer), when the corresponding access features are put into a closed position by a user before inserting the receptacle 300 into the machine performing the laundry function, the garments 390 remain in their respective cavity portion and become effectively laundered.

FIG. 4 shows still another receptacle 400 in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1A through 4, the receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 is substantially the same as the receptacles discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A through 3, except as described below. For example, the receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 includes a hanging feature 430 that is substantially similar to the hanging features discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A through 3, but the receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 does not include any reconfiguration features (e.g., reconfiguration features 140 of FIGS. 1A and 1B). The receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 also does not include any barriers (e.g., barrier 250 of FIGS. 2A through 2D).

The receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 includes a body 410 having a front surface 411 and a rear surface 412 that form a cavity 415. The receptacle 400 of FIG. 4 also includes an access feature 420 in the form of a zipper disposed across most of the width of the front surface 411. When the access feature 420 is in an open position (in this case, the zipper is open), one or more garments 490 can be placed in the cavity 415. When the access feature 420 is subsequently placed in a closed position (in this case, when the zipper is closed), the garments 490 are retained within the cavity 415.

In this way, when garments 490 are disposed in the cavity 415 during one or more laundry functions (e.g., clothes washing using an automated clothes washing machine, clothes drying using an automated clothes dryer), when the corresponding access feature 420 is put into a closed position by a user before inserting the receptacle 400 into the machine performing the laundry function, the garments 490 remain in the cavity 415 and become effectively laundered.

In certain example embodiments, one or more portions of the body 410 of the receptacle 400 can be configured to add whimsy and humor to the receptacle 400, enhancing a user experience when using the receptacle 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a surface (in this case, the front surface 411) can include an image (e.g., a friendly monster with big funny eyes and a mouth that coincides with the access feature 420) that is disposed thereon (e.g., printed on the front surface 411, using various colored material for the front surface 411). Whimsical names (e.g., “sock monster”) can also be used to describe or brand the receptacle 400 to correspond to the enhanced packaging of the receptacle 400. As another example, the shape of the body 410 of the receptacle 400 can correspond to an object or character. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a number of other decorative and/or similar enhancements can add to the aesthetic experience of a user and increase the marketing efforts in selling the receptacle 400.

Example embodiments are used for allowing for the retention of one or more garments for the purpose of keeping those garments grouped during one or more laundry functions while also allowing those garments to be effectively laundered according to those laundry functions. Example embodiments can provide a number of benefits. Examples of such benefits can include, but are not limited to, fewer lost or misplaced garment items, effectively laundered garment items, ease of use, durability, and an enhanced user experience. Example embodiments can be enhanced using decorative and/or whimsical packaging and marketing to assist in selling the receptacle 400 and/or to enhance the user experience in using the receptacle 400.

Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to example embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle for retaining garments during a laundry function, the receptacle comprising: a body comprising a plurality of surfaces that form a cavity, wherein the body is porous to allow water and air to traverse therethrough; a first access feature disposed on a first surface of the plurality of surfaces of the body, wherein the first access feature has an open position and a closed position, wherein the first access feature, when in the open position, allows access to the cavity, and wherein the first access feature, when in the closed position, prevents access to the cavity, wherein the first access feature, when in the open position, is configured to allow the garments to be inserted into and removed from the cavity, and wherein the first access feature, when in the closed position, is configured to retain the garments within the cavity during the laundry function and to allow the garments disposed in the cavity to be laundered during the laundry function.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: a hanging feature disposed on the body, wherein the hanging feature is configured to interact with an external object to support the body in such a manner as to provide hands-free access to the first access feature.
 3. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first access feature comprises a first securing mechanism that keeps the first access feature closed during the laundry function.
 4. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first securing mechanism comprises a zipper.
 5. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first securing mechanism comprises Velcro.
 6. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first securing mechanism comprises at least one snap.
 7. The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: a second access feature disposed on the first surface of the plurality of surfaces, wherein the first access feature is located at a first location on the first surface, wherein the second access feature is located at a second location on the first surface.
 8. The receptacle of claim 7, further comprising: a first barrier integrated into the body, wherein the first barrier physically separates the cavity into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the cavity is accessible when the first access feature is in the open position, wherein the second portion of the cavity is accessible when the second access feature is in the open position.
 9. The receptacle of claim 8, further comprising: a third access feature disposed on the first surface of the plurality of surfaces; and a fourth access feature disposed on the first surface of the plurality of surfaces, wherein the first access feature is located at a first location on the first surface, wherein the second access feature is located at a second location on the first surface, wherein the third access feature is located at a third location on the first surface, and wherein the fourth access feature is located at a fourth location on the first surface.
 10. The receptacle of claim 9, further comprising: a second barrier integrated into the body, wherein the first barrier and the second barrier physically separate the cavity into a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion of the cavity is accessible when the first access feature is in the open position, wherein the second portion of the cavity is accessible when the second access feature is in the open position, wherein the third portion of the cavity is accessible when the third access feature is in the open position, and wherein the fourth portion of the cavity is accessible when the fourth access feature is in the open position.
 11. The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the first access feature and the second access feature are configured differently relative to each other.
 12. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the garments comprise a first garment, a second garment, a third garment, and a fourth garment, wherein the first garment is disposed in the first portion of the cavity during the laundry function, wherein the second garment is disposed in the second portion of the cavity during the laundry function, wherein the third garment is disposed in the third portion of the cavity during the laundry function, and wherein the fourth garment is disposed in the fourth portion of the cavity during the laundry function.
 13. The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: a second access feature disposed on a second surface of the plurality of surfaces.
 14. The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising: at least one reconfiguration feature disposed on the body, wherein the at least one reconfiguration feature is detachably coupled to each other, wherein the at least one reconfiguration feature, when engaged, holds the body in a folded position and hide the first access feature.
 15. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the at least one reconfiguration feature is configured to remain engaged during the laundry function.
 16. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein the at least one reconfiguration feature comprises at least one pair of magnet embedded in the body.
 17. The receptacle of claim 15 wherein the at least one reconfiguration feature comprises at least one pair of snaps embedded in the body.
 18. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the laundry function comprises washing the garments by an automatic clothes washer.
 19. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the laundry function comprises drying the garments by an automatic clothes dryer.
 20. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first access feature is configured to remain in the closed position during the laundry function. 